Chapter 4: Uncertainty Lies

Enjoy the chapter!


The shaman's tree was a large baobab which stood tall and proudly adjacent the border. The shamans were held in high regard for as long as the Pridelands had stood. Wisdom, guidance, healing, and spiritual matters could be given or resolved to those who were willing and able to seek them out. For as long as the Pridelands had stood, there had always been a shaman to aid matters, from curing the sick to providing sanctuary and relief for those in need, to giving guidance found from the unseen, yet omnipresent.

Dried gourds clank against each other in the breeze, held from branches by vines which also held a myriad of several items, such as baskets and strange wooden structures woven against the bark. Mufasa could feel a bit unsettled by how bizarre and otherworldly his home appeared, but he respected the shaman too much to protest his home decor.

As he made his way towards the roots of the tree, he stopped as a rattle filled the air, combined with the light knocking of the dried gourds and fruits above. The sound made itself more clear as a long branch with the items tied with dried grass to it appeared over the topmost branch, followed by an old, wizened face. The old mandrill smiled down at the king before leaping skillfully down, using the tangled branches and wood as platforms before landing gracefully before the king.

"Rafiki, it is good to see you my friend." His head knelt down in reverence, a show of humble respect towards one of his most trusted advisers.

He gripped his staff tightly and nodded. "And to you as well. Thank you for coming so quickly. I have something important to show you."

Slamming his staff into the dirt, he turned and entered into a small entrance made between the roots of the tree and gestured for the king to follow. His eyes lingered on how small the entrance was before he swallowed his insecurities and tried to push his way in.

The area beneath the tree was a wonder to behold. Though such a large opening was underneath the roots, the tree was in perfect health and appeared to fully support the inner sanctum while permitting sunlight to enter through. In the areas which the sun did not reach, a brilliant glow came from what appeared to be moss or fungi, casting a green light over the entire atmosphere.

With a mighty shove and a small collapse of dirt, Mufasa stood up on the soft dirt, partially miffed at the soil dusting his mane.

"Please, make yourself at home. I need you to be as comfortable as possible for what I am about to tell you." He gestured towards an animal pelt on the floor, the markings looking very familiar to a wildebeest's. The fur was coarse, but somewhat soft as he touched down upon it. His own fur still bristled, feeling anything but reassured already.

Before his gaze stood a large, stone wall, decorated with designs of lions and scenery familiar, but ancient and arcane. Rafiki sat before it, setting his staff against the wall and focused upon an upturned turtle shell and contents held within the hard keratin. He grasped the bowl by the edges and began turning it up and down, moving whatever was held with a rough scraping sound.

Crossing his legs, Mufasa wondered how much more he could take. "I was hoping to head back home soon." His tone was quiet, yet betrayed his desperation to get out.

The bowl turning stopped and the shaman looked up. Mufasa could feel cold dread go down to his stomach at the tired, old, pained expression the mandrill held.

"The Great Kings of the Past have spoken. They warn of a great tragedy that is about to unfold, one that will shatter the Pridelands and all of it's inhabitants and leave a scar upon the Circle of Life." His head dipped down and his voice grew sorrowful. "They said the sun will soon set on your time and the next sun will either rise or become eclipsed."

The king froze as his blood turned to ice as the world echoed in his mind.

"They did not say who was to blame or specify what is to come, but they did prophesied of a way to undo the tragedy."

"Undo the tragedy?!" He rose to his feel, standing unevenly and shaken as his voice rose. Dirt clumps fell from the ceiling from the vibrations of his footsteps. "What about preventing it from happening?! Is there any way to discover who is responsible and stop them? Can the future be changed? What even will happen if this comes to pass?"

He halted from pacing as the sound of rattling gourds right beside his ear. He turned and saw Rafiki shaking his staff over his head, muttering softly unknown, but comforting words. His hand extended outward, pressing against his forehead before the rest of him drew near to the king.

"Mufasa, I cannot answer for what I do not know. I wish I did, if I could say what will become of you and everyone else." His head lifted and eyes focused upon the other's. "I cannot predict the future, I can only receive what the Great Kings tell me."

His hand broke off from his forehead and grasped his staff tightly. "For now I leave you with their last message. Hope lies in the future, of noble blood and spirit, lost but then found once more, must take charge when all seems lost. They must look past the shadows of doubt and speak with clear mind to bring peace to those is desperation." He shuffled slightly. "If they cannot, The Circle of Life is lost to us."

Worry covered the king's face like a soaking rain. His eyes betrayed the maelstrom that swirled within him like the monsoon season. All of a sudden his great, strong form staggered and instantly Rafiki was at his side, gently guiding him to sit back down.

"I-, I..."

He threw his head down and pressed into his paws, obscuring his face from view. A shudder passed through him and soon his entire chest was heaving as emotion ran freely. Tears began to drip through his paws and soak the pelt below him.

The shaman placed his hand upon his friend's shoulder, offering what little comfort and support he could. His hand would not leave his side for a long time.


Eventually the sun took it's descent down in the sky, tinting the sapphire blues into rich warm colors and stretching the shadows across the landscape. Though the world was still very much awake and alive in the slowly deepening light, the mood for the king felt more the darkness of his shadow, always following just behind him. His steps were slow and his face betrayed how weary and numb he felt.

"Dad!"

Immediately, his head arose and a mask of joy came on as his son leaped down from the rocky path and all but sprinted towards him. The cub launched himself towards his father, his legs wrapping tightly into his mane as his face buried into it, muffling the excitement his form expressed.

"Where were you?" He all but demanded as soon as he released his grip. He let out a squeal as he was head bumped playfully to the ground.

"Sorry son. Duties of the king can be demanding at times." Simba frowned, but looked like he comprehended.

"Mom told me about some of the things a king has to be today."

"Did she now?" He started to walk alongside him back.

He nodded. "Mm hmm. She told me how as king I'll need to be responsible and to follow in your footsteps."

"Is that so?" A warm, slightly satisfied smile spread across his features.

"Yeah. But then uncle Scar came along and upset everyone and then mom had to chase him off-"

"He did what now?"

Simba's body jolted at the sudden worried tone that interrupted his father's usually calm and composed voice and his story. He stopped and turned around with a more shook expression.

"Yeah, he came up to us when mom and the others were talking. He insulted Mheoto and Nadra's mum and then she tried to attack him, but uncle Scar knocked her down, so Nala's mom came to defend her and then mom took him down and scared him away." He paused, as if trying to recall something, but then relaxed. "You should've been there dad. Mom totally scared him off. She's awesome"

Mufasa bit his lip and swallowed silently. A faint smile crossed his face to reassure him. "She certainly is. It certainly sounds like I did miss quite a bit today." He then lowered his face down to his level. "Speaking of your mom, do you know where she is?"

His ears perked up and he nodded rapidly. "She's over by the den with dinner. C'mon, I'll race you to her." Immediately the cub had transformed into a gold blur streaking towards the shadows cast by their home. Mufasa chuckle softly, then slowly trotted off after him.

By the time he had reached the steps to Pride Rock, Simba was panting, yet proudly exclaiming his victory to his mother, who smiled warmly at him as he climbed up to her. Her smile then shortened to a line as she caught glimpse of his eyes and slightly off demeanor.

"Simba, why don't you find Nala and the others to play with while I talk with your father and I talk." At this his celebrating was diminished and his ear drooped in annoyance.

"Aww. But I wanted to play with dad before bed. We didn't get to complete our tour of the savanna today," he whined. He then growled as a soft paw pressed playfully onto his face and obscuring his vision. He squeaked in indignation as it began rubbing against his scalp.

"Tell you what son. I have some time in the middle of the day tomorrow. If you'd like I can pick you and Nala out and show you the rest of the Pridelands. Sound fair?"

Simba swat off the paw, the fur on his head in disarray as he swiped it down. He tried to glare at his father, but found himself unable to keep a angry face against the giggles breaking through his exasperation. "Deal!" And with that, he came up the side of the Pride Rock and disappeared from view.

"Zazu told me that you went to visit Rafiki." Her eyes grew concerned when they fell upon his weary face, no longer having to put a happy face. "I take it what he had for you wasn't good."

He exhaled loudly, and stared at her for a moment before pressing his head softly against hers. She nuzzled him back, letting him relax against her.

"It appears that the Great Kings have foretold of something sinister to come. That my-"

He staggered in his last words, feeling as if his throat had a rock stuck in it and a his tongue and gums become dry as cracked earth. He felt a wave of cold dread and fear come over him and he sat down, forcing himself to breath.

Sarabi sat down beside him, lightly leaning against him and grasping his paw with her own. She waited patiently until he had settled back down, constantly reassuring him with one of her toes rubbing the back of his paw in a soothing manner. His face finally arose to look at hers, his crimson eyes sparkling like jewels and reflecting her amber orbs back at her. Her paw left his and gently cupped his face and stroked the side while a single tear fell down his face.

"What did they say?"

Her voice was barely a whisper, yet it held the tone of someone screaming in painful agony. For all her patience, composure, and compassion, she was not completely immune from sharing in the swirling emotions that raged inside of him.

His chest shuddered and he sniffed, trying to regain composure. He licked at his lips and rubbed the clear fluid off his fur, then took another moment to breath deeply.

Her paw never left his face and she offered the best reassuring smile she could muster. "How about you wait awhile to tell me? You've had a long, stressful day by the looks of it." A soft chortle broke out. "It almost seems like you had to wade through warthog territory after they've eaten all the dung beetles in the savanna."

A genuine laugh came out and he almost toppled over, snorting like the rather smelly pigs. She joined him, feeling the calm of the day return for a moment. "C'mon, the ladies and I have leftovers from lunch that we saved for you."

He nodded, his distraught fading for a moment and he forced himself to be happy again, if only for a while. "Thank you love."

A smile started to grow, but suddenly fell and her fur an form bristled. Following her gaze, the dread returned like a cold flood as a glaring green eye sternly looked out from the darkness. Immediately the urge to release a growl fought against his need to remain placid.

Thankfully the gaze retreated back into the shadows with a turn and tail flick. He could feel her body relax against his and he gently laid his head against her shoulder, letting her gently release her tension beside him.

"So... what's for dinner?"

He quickly followed his question with a series of apologies as she practically choked on her spit in her laughter.

Eventually the two left and made their way towards the common area of Pride Rock for some well earned food and rest. As they disappeared from sight, the green-eyed figure returned. He spared one glance towards where they had left, then surged forward into the shadows as the sun fell over the horizon.

The sky swiftly turned from oranges and reds to the deep, dark blue of night. As he ran further away from Pride Rock, clouds began to gather above, shrouding the stars and shading the world from the moon as a light drizzle came down on him. The world appeared to blur all together as the clouds fell down and submerged the world in a dense, miserable mist.

Water streamed off his form in swift rivulets. Even as he grew soaked, his speed never wavered. Eventually the wet grass beneath his feet grew to coarse, small tufts before fading completely with the introduction of hard, flat rocks. His paws made loud claps against them and eventually he found himself in the midst of a canyon. As the rain soaked into the stone and erased much friction from the floor, he slowed his pace to a walk as he entered further into the shadowed gorge.

His breath became visible as hot steam blossomed from his nostrils like flowers in the sun. The faint rumble of thunder broke in the distance, indicating a much worst storm up ahead. Against the weather, slithering through the close stone walls like a viper, and elegantly sliding across the smooth stones, he was in his element.

"Halt!"

He obeyed, drawing his legs closer and with an attractive twist. He looked up above him, eyes looking at a stone bridge and a pair of red eyes looking from over it. The red orbs slanted into a glare as she barked down at him.

"Who goes there?"

He chuckled. "Who else but me. I think you would be able to recognize my presence by now."

The eyes widened in shock and he could see her ears fall in shame. "My apologies, sir Scar."

"He rolled his eyes and waved his paw up and down. "At ease. I merely wish to see the queen."

The lioness sniffed, but nodded and vanished over the edge with nary a sound. He continued further, eventually the thin pathway opening up into an open area. Stone walls circle all round, though there were a few pathways breaking out and several fallen rocks provided steps up to the cliffs and other levels of the canyon. In the midst of it all there was a two massive plates that had fallen down and slanted against the other, creating a cover for the already present cave in the stone.

In front of it the sentinel lioness who had called out to him now spoke in a hurried voice towards the dark void. The rain made her already dark coat even darker, though it brief became illuminated with a sudden lightning strike.

With the brief burst of light, a secondary pair of red eyes emerged from the cave and lit up even more as they fell upon him. A glittering smile like white stones flashed at him as a truly beautiful lioness emerged. A dark stripe fell down her forehead, contrasting gorgeously against her tan fur. Even as the rain soaked it, she eagerly came out and posed before him. Her well toned form became even more so as the water caused her fur to press against her body. She stood proudly, yet the way she crossed her legs and her eyes lingered on him betrayed her excitement.

"Welcome back my love."

The edges of his mouth quirked up, if just for a moment. Despite his wet form, she eagerly pressed herself against him and a soft rumble rose from her throat. His chin came to rest of her head, a simple gesture that just seemed to invigorate her joy. Her face rose, her nose burying into his mane.

"Come in dear before you catch a cold."

Several pairs of eyes watched as the pair entered the cave, some regarding him with amusement, others with apathy, a few with irritability. He shook off the excess rainwater, then gently brushed the excess drops off his whiskers.

"So, the fool prince returns."

A ragged old voice broke through the darkness and in the faint, little light the outside provided, an ancient lioness emerged from the blackness. Her face had scars that ran from her chin, down her throat, and disappeared down her chest, though it was only made more ragged by the wrinkles she wore and how skinny her form was. Though it might have once been a warm brown color, her fur was tinted white with age and the stripe down her forehead was faded. Her eyes were a dim blue, the tell-tale signs of blindness approaching, but they still regarded him with an angry scowl.

He nodded, his face remaining calm. "Bianca."

"That's queen Bianca to you," she snarled, flashing her fangs at him. "I may be old, but I still have more power and authority then you will ever have. Learn your place, you disgraceful whelp!"

Zira stepped in between the two, first apologetically smiling at him, before narrowing her eyes at her. "Mother, please. Scar here is royalty and-"

"Bite your tongue, missy!" With a hiss and a push back, Zira sat down and shrank back at the blind lioness' glare. "You know what he has done and what he means to do. He is no better than pond scum and don't you forget it. Understand!"

Despite her fear, she still spoke up. "Y-yes, but-"

"But nothing! He is of no use to us and you have no right to assume control over what is allowed in this pride." She then swung her head back towards Scar, her anger forming a frightening mask. "You are not welcome here. We want nothing to do with you, after what has happened and how you have shown your true colors. So leave us."

"Mother," Zira protested. The rest of the pride either shrank back from the scene or watched with worried expressions.

"Be silent!" To emphasize her tone, her paws slammed down on the stone floor, causing some cracks to form. A impressive feat, in spite of her age.

"Your highness." Despite the tension threatening to boil over, his voice was cool and composed. "I know I hold no power or worth to you or your pride, but what I lack in brutal strength I more then make up with the lion's share of cunning and wit."

She snorted in disbelief, her nearly sightless orbs never leaving him as he slowly approached. "Yet we both know that life has not been fair to either of us. We've both been dealt an unfair hand. Shunned outcasts, left to bake in the sun with no hope for relief, to be given a shred of dignity or a chance to survive. Outsiders, destined to starve, thirst, ache, and eventually become the dust that chokes our lungs."

Her nose wrinkled in disgust. "And you expect us to believe that you have the answer to our problems?"

He grinned, his signature charisma coming out on full display. All eyes were on him, eyes filled with interest. Zira's eyes were entrance don him, her eyes filled with rapturous wonder at the luscious ambrosia that was his words.

"Precisely." He stood before her, standing proudly, eye to eyes. "You see we both know that there is a path towards renewal. To return to the days of prosperity. To take back the rewards that have so long been withheld from us by the blind tyrants who choose to turn their backs to the suffering and pain they cause." He paused, letting the atmosphere seep into the moment. At this moment all the pride were captivated by his words and perking up to the honey sweet promises that hung just overhead.

"If you'd be willing to join me, I can give you everything that you have missed and have wanted. I can return you back to your former glory. I can give you vengeance."

The cave was silent, minus the sounds of raindrops falling outside and the baited, excited breaths of the audience. Queen Bianca stood still as a boulder before him, her stony gaze cold and unfeeling as she gave a moment to form her response.

"Such bold promises and honeyed words you make, yet I see past the veil you intend to ensnare us with."

She rose up to full height, managing to grow a couple of inches taller then him as her pride gasped. "You intend to use us to challenge your brother and to take over the pride and the land for your own. You claim that this will restore up to power and stature, yet these words mean nothing. You said it yourself, you hold no power or worth to me or my pride at all. Your words hold no weight and you hold no dominion over us."

She exhaled, dipped her head down for just a moment, then lifted it up and sternly glared at him, her nearly white pupils staring right into his very soul.

"I see your heart. It is as black as the ground burned by your actions, traitorous scum. I will not say this again. Leave this place. Never return. Never try to contact us ever again."

A cold wind blew through the entrance, sending all but the two into a shuddering mess, from cold or fear none could tell. He stood still, letting the breeze blow against his dark mane.

"Very well then," he finally spoke, causing most to flinch at his quiet tone. "You will never see me in this place anymore. I wish a peaceful rest of your life for you and your pride."

With that, he turned neatly on his feet and started to make his way out of the cave.

"No Scar! Wait!" Zira screamed, causing the pride to jolt in surprise. Bianca remained silent, even as her own daughter turned to screech at her. "Do you realize what you've done?! He offered to help us in our pathetic state and you turn him away just like that! Have you gone mad in your old age? We're struggling out here! Don't you care about us?!"

Bianca turned to glare at her daughter, her tone cold as the wind. "Blind as I am, even I can see a false savior. His intentions are as visible as the moon is against the night. We are better off without him and you will need to learn discernment if you will ever want to lead this pride."

"But mother!"

"Or perhaps not," she sneered, snarling and staring down the rebellious lioness. "Perhaps it is time to assign a new successor instead of this rebellious, back-talking, smitten, fool of a daughter the Great Kings of the Past have saddled me with." She paused, then turned around. "Unless you get your act together, you will never be queen."

Almost immediately, the old queen could feel a cold, icy feeling drop down her spine. She had made a crucial error as she could almost hear the last threads of sanity snap.

Scarcely had she taken a step forward when the needle-like jab of teeth came clamping down onto her nape and her legs buckled under the sudden weight. She growled in sudden agony, crying out for aid as she dipped down, struggling to fell her attacker off. Her pridesisters remained frozen like statues, staring either emotionless or stunned at the assassin fighting their queen.

Eventually she managed to shake her body free of the claws, teeth and weight off, but barely had she taken a pause to gather herself when she was thrown painfully against the cave wall, the shock knocking all breath from her lungs. A large gouge on her nape had already started to stain her fur red and was coursing down like a hot river to soak her back.

Before she could dare suck in the precious oxygen back, a firm paw pressed hard down upon her throat, and claws sinking into the gashes. She wheezed, trying desperately to inhale the sweet, sweet air into her burning lungs as she felt tears gather in the corners of her eyes. They could barely make out the blurry figure in front of her, but she already knew who dare upend her.

Even in the face of death, her killer, her daughter, her legacy, she boldly remained focused despite her vision rapidly darkening.

"You have reigned long enough," came the soft, yet edged voice. Like a knife, it cut swiftly, yet painfully through the air, with just the traces of a blossoming madness seeping through. She could imagine the face she must be giving, the sweet. psychotic smile, with fangs dipped in fresh blood. Her panting breath came by her ear and a breathy, warm laugh tickled it.

"It's time for a new change."


By the time Scar had stepped foot at the edge of the canyon, the storm had only increased. The wind howled through the gorge and whistled through like a mother who had just lost her child. Thunder rumbled like the earth being torn apart. The rain came down in torrents, soaking through his fur, illuminated his slender, streamline form only by the occasional bolt of lightning.

As he came to the end of the gorge, he stopped suddenly. He stood proudly towards the exit and focused at the area in the distance. The lightning flashed from up above, exposing each angle and the sheer size and grandeur of the rock formation. He felt a strong desire towards it, an urge to stand tall and strong while the weather fought against him. He wanted to be there at that moment, as the winds and rain swirled, pushed and pulled all around him, yet he was unwavering to it all.

All at once, everyone would see him in all his power and might, the true king of the Pridelands. Finally, after years of living in the shadows, being denied at every turn, justice would be his and everyone would see him for what he truly was.

In his rapturous state, he felt a warm body come up beside him. Her face traveled to where he was staring and she smiled, the grin appearing across her soaking, dark muzzle, dripping with water and fresh blood.

Behind them he could feel the determined, battle-ready and loyal army. Survival-worn, but fierce, skilled warriors to which he now commanded. They would obey his every order, so long as he kept their new leader under his influence.

Zira pressed against him, the rain making no difference to her at all as she cuddled beside him. He could only look ahead into the distance and grin maniacally as the storm raged on around them.


Did I mention I was going to be adding TLK 2/deleted concept elements to the story?

So yeah, I know there's a million theories about the Outsiders and how/where they came from and to be in the TLK universe, so here's the rundown of my personal theory. They're a female-only, small pride on the edge of the Pridelands' territory. Their (former) leader, Bianca is the mother of Zira and a few of the other lionesses in the pride, fathered by different rogues. Bianca, is how you say, a stern, tough love-giving, no-nonsense b****. Having built up her pride from the ground up, she is a tough nut to crack, and a bit of a misandrist. She'll do anything to support her pride, but she will give no authority over herself or them to any male. This attitude extends to all males, regardless of position or state, though she especially dislikes Scar for his past actions and how her daughter and named heir Zira has become smitten with him. Still, she will at least give respect to the Pridelands' king for at least leaving them be and ruling at least somewhat well.

Zira, on the other hand, only really takes after her mother's stubborn, stern attitude. Being raised with such a strict mother who gives her affection only when she completes a task exemplary, this attitude will eventually translate in how she will treat her future children and how she perceives her own worth. She met Scar on one of his loner walks and immediately fell for his sweet, smooth words and his composed, suave personality. She is completely obsessed with him, and combined with rising tensions in the pride and some undiagnosed mental issues, is willing to do whatever it takes to please him.

Fun fact, Bianca was Zira's original concept name and her design choice was based upon early concept art for her, plus the Lion King 2: Simba's Pride reading books where Zira is mistakenly miscolored with darker fur and blue eyes. I figured it make a nice way to explain what future traits her grandchildren would get.

Anyways, thanks for being patient with the chapters. I can't promise when I'll get the next one out, but Spring Break is coming up so hopefully it will be soon. Hope you all have a wonderful day and I'll see you next time. Sincerely, v.t.7